PM Abbasi announces ‘mega development programme’ for Balochistan

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday announced a 10-year “mega development programme” for Balochistan to bring the province on a par with the others. The premier had arrived in Quetta earlier in the day to review the law and order situation and ongoing development projects initiated under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He also held a high-level meeting at the Governor House in Quetta. Under the newly-announced development project, all union councils in the province will receive electricity, water, gas, health and educational facilities, PM Abbasi told reporters. He added that the federal government would provide 50 per cent of the funds for the plan while the provincial government would finance the remaining half. The premier also announced the installation of 11 liquefied natural gas plants in different parts of the province at the cost of Rs200 million. He also addressed the lack of facilities available for Shia pilgrims visiting Iran via road, and promised that the government will ensure that all kinds of facilities are provided to travellers at the Pak-Iran border at Taftan. When asked about 2018 general election, the prime minister assured that the polls would be held on time. “The government tenure will end in June and election will be held after two months,” he said.